Less than five years ago, Hutson Mason took the reins of Lassiter’s offense and passed for a county-record 8,265 yards for his career. Last week, Mason was eclipsed by another Trojan quarterback, with Eddie Printz, above, doing the job.
Staff photo by Emily Barnes

In three years at Lassiter — two as a starter — quarterback Eddie Printz had thrown for 5,792 yards, and with such gaudy numbers, it was only a matter of time before the records began to fall.

Two particular records fell last Friday, when the senior had 251 passing yards in a 28-14 victory over Roswell. That gave him 2,560 yards on the season and 8,352 for his career, breaking the Cobb County and Lassiter career record of 8,265 yards set by former Trojans quarterback Hutson Mason from 2007-09.

“It’s a great honor to break any record,” said Printz, who has a career completion percentage of 65 percent — 695-for-1,065.

According to the Georgia High School Football Historians Association, Printz needs 711 more yards to break the state’s career record of 9,062 set by Metter’s Zach Stanford from 2001-04. On his current pace of 284 yards per game, Printz would need three more games — and for Lassiter to reach at least the second round of the state playoffs — to do that.

“I owe (these records) to my teams, and especially to my offensive line and receivers,” Printz said. “The line gives me enough time to throw the ball and make plays, and my receivers catch and block downfield and make things happen for us.

“I just want to thank them, and I appreciate what they and the coaching staff have helped me with these past few years.”

With Mason at quarterback, and then-coach Chip Lindsey having turned the Trojans from a run-first team to a pass-heavy program, Lassiter’s fortunes began to turn around in a hurry. By the end of Mason’s senior year, which was Printz’s freshman season, Lassiter had won its first region championship and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class AAAAA state playoffs.

“Hutson taught me a lot too,” said Printz, who has verbally committed to play at Missouri. “He gave me a good head-start on how to read defenses and on timing and showed me some good things. He was a great teammate and mentor.”

Printz then began to set his own legacy at Lassiter, while also maintaining the team’s level of success. The Trojans once again made the postseason in 2010 — Printz’s first as the starter — and Lassiter reached the Class AAAAA state semifinals a year ago, losing 30-24 to region rival Walton.

As the 2012 season had progressed, Printz had an idea that he might get a chance to break Mason’s career and county records, but it wasn’t something he actively thought about.

“I knew I was coming up on (the records), but I never had it on my mind to play to break them,” he said. “I just wanted to win football games, and for me to do whatever I can do to help the team.”

Jep Irwin has been Printz’s coach the last three years, and he couldn’t be happier for his quarterback.

“He’s certainly had a great career,” Irwin said. “His numbers have improved every year, and any personal awards he may get he has earned.

“He was very talented as a sophomore, but he was a typical young player. He was brilliant sometimes, showing the ability he had, but then he’d struggle sometimes. He’s gotten better each year with the experience. He has a good pocket presence, and now he’s scrambling effectively and taking care of the football.

“He hasn’t had a bad game for us (this year).”

In Printz’s final year at the helm, Lassiter is 9-0, having won the Region 5AAAAAA championship. The Trojans are also ranked second in the state heading into their final regular-season matchup against Etowah on Friday.

“He worked through that summer (of 2010), and I knew, pretty much right away, that all he needed was experience,” Irwin said. “He’s steadily improved. He was always talented. Now, he has the experience and skill to go with it.”

With Printz as the county’s top all-time passer, and former teammate Mason now No. 2, Irwin has every reason to boast about Lassiter’s recent years of success.

Eddie...you should be very proud of what you and your team mates have accomplished the last 4 years. It is nice to see you give credit to others. I know Tim really enjoyed playing with you the last 2 years. Best of luck and always remember to BE A LEADER.

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